Packing plate assembly for refuse vehicle

ABSTRACT

The refuse vehicle has a storage body with a loading hopper at the rear end thereof. A packer plate is mounted in the hopper by a first pair of pivots engaged respectively with a pair of links which are pivoted to the hopper sidewalls. The packing plate includes a second pair of pivots respectively connected to a pair of discs, the latter being rotatably mounted in the hopper sidewalls. A single pair of fluid-operated rams is connected with the discs for rotating the latter to provide the desired movement of the packer plate. A transversely extending torsion bar is connected to both discs to ensure movement in unison of the latter. The rams are connected to the discs to obtain maximum mechanical advantage when the refuse in the hopper is being compressed and to permit only one ram to occupy a dead center position at any one time.

United States Patent l Mil [72] Inventor Cyril R. Gollnick Oshkosh, Wis.[21] Appl. No. 834,288 [22] Filed June 18,1969 [45] Patented Mar. 30,1971 [73] Assignee Leach Company Oshkosh, Wis.

[54] PACKING PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR REFUSE VEHICLE v 22 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 214/83.3 [51] Int. Cl B65f3/00 [50] Field ofSearch 214/833,503; 100/(Inquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I2,730,255 1/1956 Gibson et a1 214/83.3X 2,807,377 9/1957 Pellat-Finet2l4/83.3X

3,220,577 11/1965 Laverne 3,499,558 3/1970 Rey ABSTRACT: The refusevehicle has a storage body with a loading hopper at the rear endthereof. A packer plate is mounted in the hopper by a first pair ofpivots engaged respectively with a pair of links which are pivoted tothe hopper sidewalls. The packing plate includes a second pair of pivotsrespectively connected to a pair of disks, the latter being rotatablymounted in the hopper sidewalls. A single pair of fluid-operated rams isconnected with the disks for rotating the latter to provide the desiredmovement of the packer plate. A transverselyextending torsion bar isconnected to both disks to ensure movement in unison of the latter. Therams are connected to the disks to obtain maximum mechanical advantagewhen the refuse in the hopper is being compressed and to permit only oneram to occupy a dead center position at any one time.

INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pmwmd Mammh 3@, WW

4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK Patented March 3% 19m3,572,526

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK ATTYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK w, a ATT'YW IACIQING PLATEASSEMBLY FOR REFUSE VEHICLE SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Theinvention may be summarized as relating to new and improved means forproviding movement to a packer plate through a loading cycle, suchmovement being imparted to the packer plate by a pair of rams connectedto a pair of means engaged with the packer plate at respective pivots,these means permitting movement of these pivots only in separate,continuous uninterrupted paths.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a new andimproved packing assembly for the loading hopper of a refuse vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of unique meansfor providing the desired movement of the packer plate, such meansincluding first swinging members engaged with the packer plate at afirst pair of pivots, and second members engaged with the packer plateat a second pair of pivots, the second members permitting movement ofthe second pivots only in separate, continuous uninterrupted paths.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved packing plate assembly wherein a pair of members, such asdiscs, is engaged with the packer plate at respective side pivotconnections thereof, fluid-operated rams being connected to the discs soas to obtain maximum mechanical advantage when the packer plate is inthe position of its cycle where maximum resistance to movement by therefuse is encountered.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packing assemblyaccording to the foregoing object, wherein a transversely extendingtorque bar is connected with respective discs to ensure movement inunison of the latter.

Even another object of the invention is the provision of a packingassembly according to the foregoing object wherein the hydraulic ramsare connected with respective discs such that only one ram may occupya'dead center position at any one time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packing assemblyof the type described and including an auxiliary packer plate whichcooperates with the main packer plate to prevent material in the hopperfrom passing over such main packer plate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following specification disclosing a preferredembodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. I is a side elevational view of arefuse vehicle embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation, primarily showing the loadinghopper;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the vehicle, with the charging door of thehopper being in its open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view primarily showing the means engaged withthe packer plate for moving the latter through a loading cycle; and

FIGS. 5-4 are schematic views which show in sequence the severalpositions and movements of the packer plate during a loading cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The refuse vehicle includes alarge capacity storage body mounting a loading hopper 11 at the rear endthereof, the storage body and hopper being in communication with eachother. The hopper is hinged at the rear end of the loading body, as at12, thereby to permit the hopper ill to be swung upwardly and rearwardlyinto an out-of-the-way position to enable the contents of the body It),after such body has been filled, to be discharged rearwardly upon thebody being tilted downwardly and rearwardly by conventional mounting andoperating means as shown for example in Gollnick U.S. Pat.

No. 2,649,216. Alternatively, the contents of the body may be dischargedby a movable partition plate as shown in Gollnick, U.S. Pat. No.3,220,586. Hydraulic means, including a pair of fluid-operated cylinders14, are preferably provided for swinging the hopper ll relative to thebody it about the pivot 12.

The hopper H has a rear, rectangular opening 15 through which refuse maybe dumped into the hopper. This opening is closed at appropriate timesby a door (not shown), which door when not in use is moved upwardly andforwardly into an outof-the-way position by suitable mechanism. Thebottom or floor 16 of the hopper is curved on an arc and joins smoothlywith the floor 17 of the storage body It).

A bladelike packer plate, generally designated 18, is of unitaryconstruction including a plate 19 and a pair of bars 19a, 1%. This platehas a scraping edge I and a lip edge portion 19d, the latter beingprovided to act in cooperation with an auxiliary packer plate as will bedescribed herein. The packer plate includes a first pair of pins 20, 21pivotally engaged with ends of respective links 23, 24. The other end ofthe link 23 is pivotally mounted from a plate 25, the latter beingsuitably secured to a sidewall of the hopper and supporting a pivot pin26. In like manner, the other end of the link 24 is pivotally connectedwith a plate 28 by means of a pin 29. It will be understood the pins 26and 29 define fixed pivots for the links 23 and 24.

A transversely disposed torsion bar 30' is rotatably secured to thepacker plate, as by means of a pair of journal assemblies 31, 32. Oneend of this torsion bar is fixedly engaged with a disc 34; in likemanner, the other end of the torsion bar is fixedly engaged with a disc35. It will be understood that the engagement between respectiveopposite ends of the torque bar 30 and the journals 31, 32 define a pairof second pivots for the packer plate. The discs mount these pivots formovement along separate circular paths about a horizontal and transverseaxis defining the centers of the discs.

As noted in FIG. 2, the disc 34 is received within a circular cavityformed in the hopper sidewall. An annular raceway 38 mounts a continuousseries of antifriction balls 39, the latter engaging the periphery ofthe disc 34 for rotatably mounting the latter. Identical means (notshown) are provided in the other hopper sidewall for rotatably mountingthe disc 35.

A fluid-operated cylinder 40 has one end thereof pivotally mounted on apin 41, the latter being suitably supported from the hopper sidewall.The piston rod associated with this cylinder is pivotally connected withthe disc 34 by a pivot pin 42. Another fluid-operated cylinder 44 hasone end thereof pivotally mounted on a pin 45, the latter being suitablysupported from the other sidewall of the hopper. The piston rodassociated with this cylinder is pivotally connected to the disc 35 by apin 46.

The piston rods of the cylinders 40, 44 are connected to respectivediscs 34 and 35 at different positions with respect to the torque bar30. By reason of this construction, only one of the cylinders 40 or 44may occupy a dead center position at any one time. This importantfeature ensures smooth, continuous and uninterrupted rotation of thediscs 34 and 35 through a complete cycle. The transversely disposedtorque bar 30 ensures rotation of the discs 34 and 35 in unison andthereby tends to ensure operation of the cylinders 40, 44 in timedrelation with each other. The location of pivot pins 42, 46 relative tothe torque bar is also very important as will be explained below.

The torsion bar is engaged with the discs by suitable connections suchthat the longitudinal axis of the torsion bar is at all times maintainedin perpendicular relation with the planes of rotation of the discs. Thetorsion bar 30 imparts movement to the packer plate 18 and prevents thesame from being subjected to undue twisting or torsional forces whichcould result if the fluid-operated cylinders were to be operatedslightly out of synchronization with one another. At this time it shouldbe mentioned that suitable pressure fluid control means (not shown),well known to those skilled in the art, are provided for controlling andoperating the hydraulic cylinders 43 and 44.

An auxiliary packer plate in the form of a transversely extending bentplate 43 is mounted by the arms 23, 24 for movement therewith. Thisplate has a transversely extending, bowed surface portion 48a.

The sequence through which the packer plates 18 and 48 move during eachloading cycle is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5-8.

FIG. 5 shows the position of the packer plate 18 when the hopper isbeing loaded through the opening thereof. It is noted that the edge 19dis in close adjacent relation with the plate portion 48a. Therefore,when the packer plates are in this position, they cooperate to form abarrier preventing any v previously compacted refuse material frompassing over the top of the packer plate 18. After the hopper has beenloaded, the fluid-operated cylinders 40, 44 are actuated for rotatingthe discs 34, 35 in a counterclockwise direction. Initial rotation ofthese discs causes raising of the packer plate 18 and movement of thesame rearwardly with the scraping edge 19c disposed above the refuse asshown in FIG. 6. As the discs 34 and 35 continue to rotate, the packerplate 18 is brought downwardly with its scraping edge in close orscraping relation with the hopper floor 16-sce FIG. 7. Continuedrotation of the disc advances the packer plate forwardly forwardly withthe scraping edge 19c moving along the hopper floor 16 in close, uniformspaced relation with the latter (FIG. 8). During this portion of thecycle, the portion 48a of the auxiliary packer plate will engage andcompress any previously compacted refuse thereby assisting the mainpacker plate 18 in compacting of the refuse material.

The refuse being compressed and forced from the hopper into the loadingbody offers the greatest resistance against the packer plate as thelatter moves from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown inFIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the hydraulic ram 44is approaching a position of greatest mechanical advantage in rotatingthe disc 35 against the force being exerted on the packer plate. Afterthe disc 35 has rotated slightly beyond the position shown in FIG. 8,the cylinder 44 will be approximately midway between its fully extendedand fully retracted position; its connection to the disc through thepivot pin 46 may be likened to a crank arm for transmitting a force tothe packer plate through the pivots defined by the torque bar 30. As thepacker plate continues to move from the position shown in FIG. 8 to theposition shown in FIG. 5, the other cylinder 40 will occupy its positionof maximum mechanical advantage; it will be in this position when thepivot pin 42 is located approximately in the position shown in FIG. 5.Therefore, when the greatest force is required from the packer plate,the hydraulic rams 40 and 44 will pass through their positions ofmaximum mechanical advantage.

Each cylinder 40, 44 is of course least effective for rotating theassociated disc when the cylinder is in a so-called dead centerposition, i.e., fully retracted or fully extended. Since thefluid-operated rams are connected to respective discs at differentlocations with respect to their common axis of rotation, only one of thecylinders 40 or 44 may occupy the dead center position at any one time.

The present invention provides relatively fast movement of the packerplate scraping edge 190 during the portion of the cycle when the packerplate is moved upwardly over and then behind the refuse admitted to thehopper (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). During this portion of the cycle, withconstant power being applied to the system, the plate will be moved at afaster rate, but with proportionally less force, whereas, in the portionof the cycle wherein maximum compacting force is required, the packerplate 18 moves with increased force but at a slower rate with constantpower being applied to the system, the plate will be moved at a fasterrate, but with proportionally less force, whereas, in the portion of thecycle wherein maximum compacting force is required, the packer plate 18moves with increased force but at a slower rate.

I claim:

1. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body anda hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packingassembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage bodycomprising, in combination: a packer plate in the hopper extendingtransversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge; said packerplate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereofand disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge; a pair offirst means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots,respectively, thereby mounting the latter for swinging movement, saidpacker plate having a pair of coaxial second pivots at respective sidesthereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scrapingedge; a pair of second means supported so as to permit at least portionsthereof to move in relation to said hopper said second means includingrespective second pivots for permitting movement of said second pivotsin separate predetermined paths; actuator means supported by the hopperand operatively engaged with a portion of said second means which isspaced apart from said second pivots, whereby, upon movement of saidsecond means; said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scrapingedge disposed substantially above the hopper floor and then movedforwardly with the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor fortransferring material in the hopper into the storage body.

2. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein said predeterminedpaths are generally circular paths lying in a vertical plane.

3. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first meanscomprise a pair of links, each pivotally mounted at one end thereof tothe hopper and at the other end thereof to one of the first pivots.

4. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second meanscomprises a pair of elements having an annular margin with said secondpivots and said spaced apart portions of said second means both lying insaid margin.

5. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein said actuator meanscomprises a pair of fluid-operated rams each pivotally connected at oneend thereof to the hopper and at the other end thereof to one of saidsecond means.

6. The packing assembly according to claim 5 wherein said spaced apartportions of said second means receiving said ram ends are located suchthat at least one of said rams is disposed in a position of maximummechanical advantage with respect to the packer plate when said forwardmovement is being imparted to the latter.

7. The packing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the locations ofsaid spaced apart portions are different with respect to each other suchthat only one of the rams may occupy a dead center position at any onetime and such that said second ram reaches its position of maximummechanical advantage just after said one ram passes from its position ofmaximum mechanical advantage.

8. The packing assembly according to claim 1 further defined by, atransversely extending torsion member having respective opposite endportions thereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensure movementin unison of said second means. i

9. The packing assembly according to claim 8 wherein said torsion memberis fixedly secured to each of said second means.

10. The packing assembly according to claim 5 further defined by, atransversely extending torsion member having respective opposite endsthereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensure movement of saidsecond means in unison with each other.

11. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of saidsecond means is rotatably mounted by being engaged at its periphery byantifriction bearing means.

12. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein an auxiliarypacker plate is carried by said first means for movement with andrelative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plates havingrespective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation during saidforward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby to preventmaterial in the hopper from passing over the top of such packer plate.

113. The packing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said auxiliarypacker plate has a transversely extending face portion arranged toengage the material in the hopper thereby to assist the first mentionedpacker plate in packing such material.

14. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body anda hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packingassembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage bodycomprising, in combination, a packer plate in the hopper extendingtransversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge, said packerplate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereofand disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge, a pair offirst means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots,respectively, thereby mounting the latter for oscillating movement, saidpacker plate having a second pair of coaxial pivots at respective sidesthereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scrapingedge, a pair of second means carried by said hopper and with respectivesecond pivots thereon for mounting the latter for movement in separatecircular paths about a horizontal transverse axis, and actuator meanssupported at one end thereof by the hopper and operatively engaged atthe other end thereof with a portion of said second means which isspaced apart from said second pivots whereby said packer plate is movedrearwardly with said scraping edge disposed substantially above thehopper floor and then moved forwardly with the scraping edge disposedadjacent such floor fortransferring material in the hopper into thestorage body.

15. The packing assembly according to claim 14 wherein said actuatorscomprise fluid cylinder and ram assemblies.

116. The packing assembly accordingto claim 15 wherein said rams areconnected to respective second means at locations such that when saidforward movement is being imparted to the packer plate at least one ofsaid rams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fullyretracted positions.

17. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein said one ram ismounted such that it is extended as said forward movement is beingimparted to the packer plate. 18. The packing assembly according toclaim 16 wherein the other of said rams is approximately midway betweenits fully extended and fully retracted positions just after said one ramwas in the same condition and when said forward movement is beingimparted to said packer plate.

19. The packing assembly according to claim 18 wherein said rams areconnected to respective second means at different locations with respectto said axis such that only one of said rams occupies a dead centerposition at any one time.

20. A packing assembly according to claim 18 wherein said second meanscomprises a pair of elements having an annular margin with said secondpivots and said spaced apart portions of said second means both lyingwithin said margin.

21. The packing assembly according to claim 14 wherein an auxiliarypacker plate is carried by said first means for movement with andrelative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plates havingrespective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation during saidforward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby to preventmaterial in the hopper from passing over the top of such packer plate.

22. The packing assembly according to claim 21 wherein said auxiliarypacker plate has a transversely extending face portion arranged toengage the material in the hopper thereby to assist the first mentionedpacker plate in packing such material.

1. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body anda hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packingassembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage bodycomprising, in combination: a packer plate in the hopper extendingtransversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge; said packerplate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereofand disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge; a pair offirst means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots,respectively, thereby mounting the latter for swinging movement, saidpacker plate having a pair of coaxial second pivots at respective sidesthereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scrapingedge; a pair of second means supported so as to permit at least portionsthereof to move in relation to said hopper said second means includingrespective second pivots for permitting movement of said second pivotsin separate predetermined paths; actuator means supported by the hopperand operatively engaged with a portion of said second means which isspaced apart from said second pivots, whereby, upon movement of saidsecond means; said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scrapingedge disposed substantially above the hopper floor and then movedforwardly with the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor fortransferring material in the hopper into the storage body.
 2. Thepacking assembly according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined pathsare generally circular paths lying in a vertical plane.
 3. The packingassembly according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprise a pairof links, each pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the hopper and atthe other end thereof to one of the first pivots.
 4. The packingassembly according to claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a pairof elements having an annular margin with said second pivots and saidspaced apart portions of said second means both lying in said margin. 5.The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator meanscomprises a pair of fluid-operated rams each pivotally connected at oneend thereof to the hopper and at the other end thereof to one of saidsecond means.
 6. The packing assembly according to claim 5 wherein saidspaced apart portions of said second means receiving said ram ends arelocated such that at least one of said rams is disposed in a position ofmaximum mechanIcal advantage with respect to the packer plate when saidforward movement is being imparted to the latter.
 7. The packingassembly according to claim 6 wherein the locations of said spaced apartportions are different with respect to each other such that only one ofthe rams may occupy a dead center position at any one time and such thatsaid second ram reaches its position of maximum mechanical advantagejust after said one ram passes from its position of maximum mechanicaladvantage.
 8. The packing assembly according to claim 1 further definedby, a transversely extending torsion member having respective oppositeend portions thereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensuremovement in unison of said second means.
 9. The packing assemblyaccording to claim 8 wherein said torsion member is fixedly secured toeach of said second means.
 10. The packing assembly according to claim 5further defined by, a transversely extending torsion member havingrespective opposite ends thereof defining said second pivots, thereby toensure movement of said second means in unison with each other.
 11. Thepacking assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said second meansis rotatably mounted by being engaged at its periphery by antifrictionbearing means.
 12. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein anauxiliary packer plate is carried by said first means for movement withand relative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plateshaving respective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation duringsaid forward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby toprevent material in the hopper from passing over the top of such packerplate.
 13. The packing assembly according to claim 12 wherein saidauxiliary packer plate has a transversely extending face portionarranged to engage the material in the hopper thereby to assist thefirst mentioned packer plate in packing such material.
 14. In a materialhandling vehicle of the type having a storage body and a hopper behindthe body in communication with the latter, a packing assembly forforcing material from the hopper into the storage body comprising, incombination, a packer plate in the hopper extending transversely thereofand having a hopper scraping edge, said packer plate having a first pairof coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed remotely withrespect to said scraping edge, a pair of first means engaged with thehopper and with said first pivots, respectively, thereby mounting thelatter for oscillating movement, said packer plate having a second pairof coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed intermediatethe first pivots and said scraping edge, a pair of second means carriedby said hopper and with respective second pivots thereon for mountingthe latter for movement in separate circular paths about a horizontaltransverse axis, and actuator means supported at one end thereof by thehopper and operatively engaged at the other end thereof with a portionof said second means which is spaced apart from said second pivotswhereby said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scraping edgedisposed substantially above the hopper floor and then moved forwardlywith the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor for transferringmaterial in the hopper into the storage body.
 15. The packing assemblyaccording to claim 14 wherein said actuators comprise fluid cylinder andram assemblies.
 16. The packing assembly according to claim 15 whereinsaid rams are connected to respective second means at locations suchthat when said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate atleast one of said rams is approximately midway between its fullyextended and fully retracted positions.
 17. The packing assemblyaccording to claim 16 wherein said one ram is mounted such that it isextended as said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate.18. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein the other of saiDrams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fullyretracted positions just after said one ram was in the same conditionand when said forward movement is being imparted to said packer plate.19. The packing assembly according to claim 18 wherein said rams areconnected to respective second means at different locations with respectto said axis such that only one of said rams occupies a dead centerposition at any one time.
 20. A packing assembly according to claim 18wherein said second means comprises a pair of elements having an annularmargin with said second pivots and said spaced apart portions of saidsecond means both lying within said margin.
 21. The packing assemblyaccording to claim 14 wherein an auxiliary packer plate is carried bysaid first means for movement with and relative to said first mentionedpacker plate, said packer plates having respective transverse edgeportions in adjacent relation during said forward movement of said firstmentioned packer plate thereby to prevent material in the hopper frompassing over the top of such packer plate.
 22. The packing assemblyaccording to claim 21 wherein said auxiliary packer plate has atransversely extending face portion arranged to engage the material inthe hopper thereby to assist the first mentioned packer plate in packingsuch material.